From KazNU Graduate to Global Biopharmaceutical Scientist: Marzhan Mursalimova’s Journey in Gene Therapy

My name is Marzhan Mursalimova. I graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Starting from my second year as an undergraduate student, I conducted research at the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics under the supervision of Professor Amangeldy Bissenbaev.

I am currently working at Astellas, a leading global biopharmaceutical company based in San Francisco, California, USA.

My primary research focuses on developing adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for inherited diseases, including glaucomatous optic neuropathy, Pompe disease, and muscular dystrophies. The principle of this approach is to package a healthy therapeutic gene into an AAV vector and deliver it to the patient's cells. Once delivered, the healthy gene is expressed, leading over time to the gradual restoration of vision or muscle function, depending on the disease being treated.

The strong theoretical foundation I gained at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, together with the hands-on research experience I acquired in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering under the supervision of Professor Amangeldy Bissenbaev, has become the cornerstone of every research project I conduct today. Thanks to this foundation, I had the opportunity to build my career at a world-class biopharmaceutical company.

From an interview with Marzhan Mursalimova, a graduate of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics